Manual and Automated Testing for 3D Models: Testing for Perfection in Every Detail

10 Jul, 2023 | 4 minutes read

Roll up your sleeves and imagine you’re a master craftsman, laboring over an ornate, three-dimensional masterpiece. Every curve, edge, and color matters. The end goal? To fashion a piece of art that captures the heart of every viewer and holds it tight, long after the initial encounter. Now, picture that in a digital realm, a world spun out of pixels and code, otherwise known as 3D modeling.

The beauty of 3D models testing lies not in choosing between the careful eye of the manual testing and the efficient consistency of the automated testing. Instead, it’s about appreciating the cohesiveness they create together, ensuring your 3D models are as flawless as intended.

Get ready as we dive deeper into this fascinating world, exploring how the precision of an artisan’s hand marries the efficiency of a machine, carving perfection in every detail of your 3D masterpieces.

Manual Checking

Manually testing, as discussed earlier, involves a thorough visual inspection. It allows testers to compare the 3D model with reference images, check proportions and scale, validate parameters and pivot points, examine textures and materials, assess camera matching, verify dimensions, and pay attention to small details. This hands-on approach ensures a meticulous evaluation of the model’s quality and functionality.

Automatic Checking

In addition to manual testing, automated testing services of 3D models enable efficient ways to verify various aspects of 3D models. Here are some key activities performed during automatic checking:

Extension of the Exported Geometry

Automated testing extends the exported geometry of the 3D model, ensuring that it aligns with the desired specifications. This helps identify any inconsistencies or anomalies in the exported data.

This refers to checking the 3D model once it has been exported from the modeling software. The model may need to be imported into another application (like a game engine), and it’s important to ensure that the model’s geometry appears correctly in this new context.

Polygon Count Limit

3D models are made up of polygons (usually triangles or quads). Keeping the polygon count within a certain limit is crucial for performance reasons, especially in real-time applications like video games or VR. A model with too many polygons may cause lag or slow down the application.

By setting and implementing a polygon count limit, automated testing can identify and flag any excessive polygon usage that may impact performance or lead to rendering issues.

Comparing Main Dimensions

To ensure accuracy, the size and proportions of the 3D model must be compared with the original design or concept. This is particularly important if the model represents a real-world object.

Measurements must be double checked as part of a 3D CAD comparison procedure. Compare these two CAD models and point out any discrepancies you see. The goal is for the two models to be equal in all significant respects, including 3D annotations, geometry, surface area, center of mass, volume, and so on.

Automated testing can help analyze and compare the given main dimensions of the 3D model with the actual dimensions in the model. This allows for quick identification of any discrepancies in width, height, or depth, ensuring accurate scaling.

Diffuse Color Comparison

Diffuse color refers to the base color of a 3D model, which does not include any lighting or shading effects. Comparing the diffuse color of the model with the intended color can help identify any discrepancies.

Automated testing provides a convenient way to compare the diffuse colors applied to the 3D model. This helps ensure consistency and accuracy in color representation.

Checking for N-Gons and Counting Triangles and Quads

N-gons are polygons with more than four sides. These can cause problems in some 3D applications, so it’s usually a good idea to avoid them. Triangles and quads (polygons with three and four sides, respectively) are the most commonly used polygons in 3D modeling. Counting these can help keep track of the model’s complexity and ensure it meets any polygon count limits.

Automated testing services can detect the presence of N-gons, give an interactive insight and overview, and accurately count the number of triangles and quads in the 3D model. This helps maintain good mesh topology and optimize performance.

Conclusion

The combination of manual and automated testing for 3D models ensures comprehensive evaluation and validation of every detail. Manual testing provides a meticulous visual inspection, while automated testing tools offer efficiency and consistency in checking factors such as geometry extension, polygon count, main dimension comparison, diffuse color verification, and polygon type analysis.

By leveraging the power of both manual and automated testing, 3D modelers and quality assurance teams can ensure the highest level of precision, realism, and performance in their creations. The artistry of manual testing, complemented by the speed and accuracy of automated testing, ensures that every aspect of the 3D model is thoroughly examined, resulting in exceptional quality and a seamless user experience.

Embrace the combined power of manual and automated testing to elevate your 3D modeling projects to new heights of excellence.